French regulator to examine Hermès antitakeover plan

By

Amélie Baubeau

Updated Jan. 5, 2011 12:01 a.m. ET

PARIS—The French antitrust watchdog's advisory council is to meet Thursday to study a plan by the majority-shareholding family of Hermès International SCA that would prevent a hostile takeover of the luxury group, according to a person familiar with the matter.

The family, which owns 73% in the luxury group, plans to set up a holding company that would harbor more than 50% in Hermès, to thwart any hostile bid from rival LVMH Moët...